Wiper control arrangement

ABSTRACT

An operator&#39;s station for a machine having at least two stations comprises a seat mounted to swivel between at least a first position and a second position, at least first and second windshield portions disposed generally opposed or at an angle to one another and generally corresponding to the first and second positions, and at least first and second windshield wipers movably mounted to selectively sweep the first and second windshield portions, respectively. At least one control device selectively renders the first windshield wiper selectively operable when the seat is disposed in the first position and inoperable when the seat is disposed in the second position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent disclosure relates generally to an operator station of amachine, and, more particularly, to a windshield wiper controlarrangement for an operator station of a machine.

BACKGROUND

In the forestry industry, it is common for trees to be cut down in thewoods and then hauled to a central collection point for furtherprocessing. One type of machine used for loading and transporting logsis typically referred to as a log forwarder or, simply, a forwarder. Aforwarder typically includes a frame that can be unitary or articulatedin one or more locations and is supported on a plurality of wheels orother ground engaging members. An operator station or cab is mountedonto a portion of the frame. The operator cab typically includes a seatthat is mounted to swivel between a forward facing position from whichthe operator can drive the forwarder, and one or more generally rearwardor sideward facing positions from which the operator may operate anarticulated arm or boom to load previously cut logs into a payloadportion of the forwarder for further transport.

Forwarders often operate in heavily forested areas, and areas where dirtand debris may collect on one or more of the machine windshields. Rain,snow, condensation or debris may cause wear to the windshield surfaceover time, which can be a particular concern if the windshield is formedof a plastic material. As a result, it is desirable to minimizeoperation of such wipers, particularly if not all of the windshields arein use at a given time. Moreover, in forwarders, controls are typicallylocated near the windshields themselves. Accordingly, the operator mustreach to the individual wiper controls to activate the wipers,distracting the operator from the other machine controls.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,243 discloses a vehicle that includes right and leftside driver stations with dual operator controls for the wipingmechanism. The '243 patent additionally provides a selector means thatis operative to provide use of one control to the exclusion of the otherso that the driver can operate the wiping mechanism, regardless of whichof the driver stations the driver is using.

The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems and shortcomings of the art as set forth above.

SUMMARY

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, an operator's stationcomprising a seat mounted to swivel between at least a first positionand a second position, and at least first and second windshield portionsdisposed generally opposed or at an angle to one another and generallycorresponding to the first and second positions. At least first andsecond windshield wipers are movably mounted to selectively sweep thefirst and second windshield portions, respectively. At least one controldevice selectively renders the first windshield wiper selectivelyoperable when the seat is disposed in the first position and inoperablewhen the seat is disposed in the second position.

In another aspect, the disclosure describes a machine comprising aframe, at least two ground engaging members supporting the frame, and anoperator's station disposed on the frame. The operator's stationincludes a seat mounted to swivel between at least a first position anda second position. At least first and second windshield portions aredisposed generally opposed or at an angle to one another and generallycorresponding to the first and second positions. Each windshield portionincludes an outside surface. At least first and second windshield wipersare movably mounted to selectively sweep the first and second windshieldportions, respectively. At least one control device selectively rendersthe first windshield wiper selectively operable when the seat isdisposed in the first position and inoperable when the seat is disposedin the second position.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of operating anoperator's station that includes the steps of disposing the seat in afirst position generally facing a first windshield portion that includesat least a first windshield wiper disposed to selectively sweep anoutside surface of said first windshield portion, swiveling the seat toa second position generally facing a second windshield that includes atleast a second windshield wiper disposed to selectively sweep an outsidesurface of said second windshield, the first and second windshieldsbeing disposed in different planes, and actuating at least one controldevice as the seat swivels to render the first windshield wiperselectively operable when the seat is disposed in the first position andinoperable when the seat is disposed in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are outline views from different perspectives of a logforwarder in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, schematic plan view of the operatorstation of the log forwarder of FIGS. 1 and 2 broken away to show theseat assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a seat assembly for use in the logforwarder illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in accordance with thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the mountingassembly for the seat assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary perspective view of themounting assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control arrangement foroperation of the wipers of the log forwarder of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to a control arrangement for a wiper mechanismfor a machine that includes workstations wherein the operator's supportis pivoted between different positions. The term “machine” as used inthis disclosure may refer to any machine that performs some type ofoperation associated with an industry such as mining, construction,farming, transportation, or any other industry known in the art whereinthe operator's support pivots to varied positions. For example, themachine may be a forwarder, a backhoe, a bi-directional agriculturaltractor, or the like. Moreover, an implement may be connected to themachine. Such implements may be utilized for a variety of tasks,including, for example, loading, compacting, lifting, brushing, andinclude, for example, arms, booms, buckets, compactors, forked liftingdevices, brushes, grapples, cutters, shears, blades, breakers/hammers,augers, and others.

Two outline views from different perspectives of a machine 100 are shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a side view of the machine 100 and FIG.2 is a three-quarter view from the rear. In the illustrations of FIG. 1and FIG. 2, the machine 100 is a forwarder 102. In the illustratedforwarder 102 includes an articulated frame 104 having an engine frameportion 106 and a payload frame portion 108 connected to one another ata pivot joint 110. In an alternate embodiment, the frame 104 may be arigid frame with no articulated connections between portions thereof or,alternatively, with more than one articulated joint connecting three ormore frame portions to one another. Each of the engine frame portion 106and payload frame portion 108 includes ground engaging members 112,here, four driven wheels 114 for a total of eight driven wheels 114. Theeight driven wheels 114 are arranged in pairs, and each pair is arrangedon a tandem drive beam 116. Four such tandem drive beams 116 areincluded with the forwarder 102 to provide traction and stability whentraversing rough and/or uneven terrain. Although a forwarder 102including eight driven wheels 114 is illustrated, the machine 100 couldalternately include only four or six wheels. As with the illustratedembodiment, all or a portion of the wheels 114 may be driven. Alternateground engaging members 112 may include, for example, track mechanisms.

The payload portion 108 of the illustrated embodiment includes fourbunks 118 that are arranged along the payload frame portion 108 andextend from a segment thereof that is adjacent to the base 120 along thelength of the payload frame portion 108. Each of the four bunks 118 hasa flattened Y-shape having base 122 extending horizontally away from alongitudinal centerline, C, of the forwarder 102 and a pair of posts 124extending upwardly. When logs or other elongate cargo is loaded on theforwarder 102, the four bunks 118 are disposed to retain and align thecargo onto and over the payload frame portion 108 within the spacebetween each pair of posts 124. A headboard 126 is connected to thepayload frame portion 108 and extends in a generally vertical directionaway from the articulated frame 104. The headboard 126 provides a bumperor stop that protects the base 120 and the crane 128 from impacts withlogs being loaded on the forwarder 102 while also providing a surfacethat the operator can use to “bump” and align the logs being loaded.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engine frame portion 106 supports aprime mover (not visible) beneath an engine cover 130 and a cab oroperator station 132. The forwarder 102 may include any appropriateprime mover for movement of the forwarder 102 and operation of thevarious systems. For example, the prime mover may be an engine. A drivesystem using electrical or mechanical power may be used to operate thedriven wheels 114. Alternately, the drive system may include hydrostaticmotors associated with the eight driven wheels 114. A hydraulic systemmay further be provided to operate hydrostatic actuators are also usedto actuate the boom or crane 128. The crane 128 is connected to theframe 104 at one end and is provided with a grapple assembly 133 at theopposite end.

Referring to FIG. 3, the operator station 132 includes a seat 134, and aplurality of machine controls for operation of the various operations ofthe forwarder 102. The machine controls may include, for example, asteering wheel 136, and/or control mechanisms 138 disposed on the armsof the seat 134 itself, such as one or more joysticks 140, buttons 141,or switches. To allow the operator to view the environment forward, tothe sides, and to the rear, the operator station 132 includes aplurality of windshields 142, 144, 146. While only three windshields arevisible in FIGS. 1 and 2, windshields 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152 maybe provided about the operator station 132, as shown in the fragmentaryschematic plan view of the operator station 132 in FIG. 3. Further, twoor more of the windshields 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, here, four suchwindshields are provided with at least one respective windshield wiper154, 156, 158, 160.

To facilitate driving the machine 100 as well as the operator's use ofthe crane 128, the seat 134 is pivotally mounted within the operatorstation 132 such that it may be pivoted selectively and at leastpartially between forward and rearward facing positions. The mountingmay be accomplished by any appropriate arrangement. For example, theseat assembly 170, as may be seen in FIG. 4, in addition to the seat 134itself, may include a base 172 having a stationary portion 174 that issecured to the floor of the operator station 132, and a rotating portion176 to which the seat 134 is secured (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In thisembodiment, the stationary portion 174 is a generally circular structurethat is mounted to the floor of the operator station 132 by a pluralityof threaded projections 178 and associated nuts 180. Washers 182 or thelike may be provided to inhibit the nuts 180 from unthreading.

The rotating portion 176 here includes a generally planar structure orplate 184 that is coupled to the stationary portion 174 by a pluralityof mounting flanges or brackets 186. The brackets 186 are removablycoupled to the plate 184 by rivets, screws 188, or the like. Ballbearings or the like (not visible) may be disposed between thestationary portion 174 and the plate 184 to provide smooth motion of theseat 134 as it pivots.

The seat 134 itself is mounted to the plate 184 by any appropriatemeans. In this embodiment, the rotating portion 176 includes a pair oflongitudinally extending mounting bars 190 to which the seat 134 ismounted. While the seat assembly 170 has been described with regard tothe illustrated arrangement, it will be appreciated that alternatearrangements are likewise appropriate with regard to the appearance,seat structure, and mounting structure, among other things.

In order to minimize unnecessary usage of the wipers 154, 156, 158, 160,selective operation of the wipers 154, 156, 158, 160 is provided, basedupon the needs or desires of the operator, on the safety of the operatorand on the safe usage of the machine. Accordingly, the operator station132 includes controls that enable operation of a limited number of thewipers 154, 156, 158, 160, depending upon the direction in which theseat 134 is facing. For example, if the seat 134 is facing generallyforward, that is, toward the steering wheel 136 and front windshield148, the front wiper 158 is operative, and the rear, right, and leftside wipers 154, 156, 160 are inoperative. Conversely, if the seat 134is facing generally rearward or sideward, the rear, right and left sidewipers 154, 156, 160 are operative, while the front wiper 158 is not.Further, the wiper arrangement may be provided with additionalfunctionality beyond a conventional on/off arrangement such thatactuation may provide a limited number of sweeps, such as a single sweepof the wipers 154, 156, 158, 160. In this way, the operator's actuationof the appropriately enabled wipers 154, 156, 158, 160 would yield, forexample, a single sweep of the wipers across only the windshields 142,144, 148, 152 in use.

This limited operation of the wipers 154, 156, 158, 160 may be providedby any appropriate mechanism. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in theillustrated embodiment, the seat assembly 170 is provided with aplurality of control devices, such as proximity sensors 200, 202, here,two such sensors 200, 202, which are coupled to the rotating portion176. The plate 184 of the rotating portion 176 is provided with acentral opening 204 through which a stationary flange 206 protrudes.Here, the stationary flange 206 is coupled to the stationary portion174, although is could alternatively be coupled, such as, to the floorof the operator station 132. The stationary flange 206 may likewiseinclude a central opening 208 to allow the passage of cables or thelike, if desired. Here, the sensors 200, 202 are electrically connectedto the wiper control mechanisms 138 disposed in the seat assembly 170 byan electrical bus 210 that extends through the openings in both thestationary portion 174 and the rotating portion 176, and otherelectrical connections. As the seat 134 and the plate 184 to which it iscoupled rotate, the flange 206 actuates one or the other of theproximity sensors 200, 202, depending upon the position of the rotatingportion 176. The proximity sensors 200, 202 are disposed andelectrically connected and the flange 206 is disposed such that one ofthe sensors 200 allows operation of the front wiper 158 upon proximityactuation by the flange 206, while the other sensor 202 allows operationof the rear, right, and left side wipers 154, 156, 160 upon proximityactuation by the flange 206. In this way, the control mechanisms 138located in the seat assembly 170 are operative to actuate only one orthe other of the front wiper 158 or the rear, right, and left wipers154, 156, 160, depending upon the swiveled location of the seat assembly170.

It will be appreciated that the arcuate nature of the flange 206 enablesoperation of the wipers 154, 156, 158, 160 associated with the actuatedproximity sensors 200, 202 when the seat is disposed at a range ofangles, rather than only precisely forward facing or rearward facing.This arrangement allows the operator to adjust the seat 134 to a desiredlocation and still actuate the appropriate wipers while providing theoperator some flexibility in the exact positioning of the seat 134. Forexample, an operator may prefer to operate the crane 128 with the seat134 facing slightly to one side or the other, based upon the location oflogs to be moved in to the payload portion 108 of the forwarder 102.

Further, while two sensors 200, 202 are illustrated, a fewer or greaternumber of sensors or the like may be provided. For example, a firstsensor may be provided to activate and a second sensor to deactivate thefront wiper 158; a third sensor may be provide to activate and a fourthto deactivate the rear, right and left side wipers 154, 156, 160.

A schematic diagram of FIG. 7 illustrates a representative controlarrangement 212 for controlling the operation of the wipers 154, 156,158, 160. A control device 214 creates a control signal as a result ofthe swiveling of the is created as a result of the rotating portion 176relative to the stationary portion 174. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6,the control device 214 includes the sensors 200, 202 and the flange 206.Alternate arrangements are equally appropriate. By way of example only,one or more mechanical switches or the like may be provided such thatthe swiveling of the rotating portion 176 causes activation and/ordeactivation of the switches.

Returning to FIG. 7, the control signal from the control device 214 isprovided to a control unit 216, which may be in the form of a centralprocessing unit, a microprocessor, or another controller. The controlunit 216 then provides signals to the relays 218, which in turn activatethe appropriate wiper(s) 154, 156, 158, 160 to allow further actuationby the operator by way of appropriate control mechanisms 138. It will beappreciated that alternate control arrangements may be provided, andthat the illustrated control arrangement 212 is provided merely by wayof example.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to machines 100 having a seat 134that swivels between two or more stations and at least one wiper 154,158 at each of the stations. In an embodiment, the disclosed arrangementmay be utilized on machines 100 having greater than two windshields andassociated wipers.

In an embodiment, the arrangement may be utilized in conjunction withtraditional wiper controls. For example, the arrangement may includecontrols for the enabled wipers 154, 158 that allow the wipers 154, 158to be switched on continuously, intermittently, and/or as a single orother controlled number of sweeps. Controls may be provided whereby theoperator may actuate each of the wipers individually, or as a group. Inan embodiment, a control arrangement 212 may be provided whereinactuation of a control mechanism 138 results in a preselected number ofswipes of the wiper(s), as, for example, a single swipe.

Activation of a limited number of the wipers 154, 156, 158, 160 basedupon seat 134 location may result in reduced wear on the wiper blade andthe associated windshields 142, 144, 148, 152. Placement of the wipercontrol mechanisms 138 along the seat 134 itself may result in reduceddistraction to an operator during use.

Some embodiments may be economically manufactured, and/or may be readilyincorporated into such machines 100.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated thatother implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from theforegoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereofare intended to reference the particular example being discussed at thatpoint and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope ofthe disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. An operator's station comprising a seat mounted to swivel between atleast a first position and a second position, at least first and secondwindshields disposed generally opposed or at an angle to one another andgenerally corresponding to the first and second positions, at leastfirst and second wipers movably mounted to selectively sweep the firstand second windshields, respectively, and at least one control deviceselectively rendering the first wiper selectively operable when the seatis disposed in the first position and inoperable when the seat isdisposed in the second position.
 2. The operator's station of claim 1wherein the at least one control device includes at least one of aproximity sensor and a switch activated as the seat swivels.
 3. Theoperator's station of claim 1 wherein the at least one control deviceselectively renders the second wiper selectively operable when the seatis disposed in the second position and inoperable when the seat isdisposed in the first position.
 4. The operator's station of claim 3wherein the at least one control device includes at least a secondcontrol device selectively rendering the second wiper selectivelyoperable when the seat is disposed in the second position and inoperablewhen the seat is disposed in the first position.
 5. The operator'sstation of claim 1 wherein the first and second windshields are disposedsubstantially opposed to one another, the seat being disposedtherebetween.
 6. The operator's station of claim 5 further includingthird and fourth opposed side windshields extending generally betweenthe first and second windshields, and third and fourth wipers movablymounted to selectively sweep the third and fourth opposed sidewindshields, respectively.
 7. The operator's station of claim 6 whereinthe second position includes an arc of a plurality of positions whereinthe seat is generally facing any of the second or side windshields, andthe at least one control device selectively renders the second, thirdand fourth wipers selectively operable when the seat is disposed in thesecond position and inoperable when the seat is disposed in the firstposition.
 8. A machine comprising a frame, at least two ground engagingmembers supporting the frame, an operator's station disposed on theframe, the operator's station including a seat mounted to swivel betweenat least a first position and a second position, at least first andsecond windshields disposed generally opposed or at an angle to oneanother and generally corresponding to the first and second positions,each said windshield including an outside surface, at least first andsecond wipers movably mounted to selectively sweep the first and secondwindshields, respectively, and at least one control device selectivelyrendering the first wiper selectively operable when the seat is disposedin the first position and inoperable when the seat is disposed in thesecond position.
 9. The machine of claim 8 wherein the at least onecontrol device includes at least one of a proximity sensor and a switchactuated as the seat swivels.
 10. The machine of claim 8 wherein the atleast one control device selectively renders the second wiperselectively operable when the seat is disposed in the second positionand inoperable when the seat is disposed in the first position.
 11. Themachine of claim 10 wherein the at least one control device includes atleast a second control device selectively rendering the second wiperselectively operable when the seat is disposed in the second positionand inoperable when the seat is disposed in the first position.
 12. Themachine of claim 8 wherein the first and second windshields are disposedsubstantially opposed to one another, the seat being disposedtherebetween.
 13. The machine of claim 12 further including third andfourth opposed side windshields extending generally between the firstand second windshields, and third and fourth wipers movably mounted toselectively sweep the third and fourth opposed side windshields,respectively.
 14. The machine of claim 13 wherein the second positionincludes an arc of a plurality of positions wherein the seat isgenerally facing any of the second or side windshields, and the at leastone control device selectively renders the second, third and fourthwipers selectively operable when the seat is disposed in the secondposition and inoperable when the seat is disposed in the first position.15. A method of operating an operator's station, the method includingthe steps of disposing a seat in a first position generally facing afirst windshield, at least a first wiper being disposed to selectivelysweep an outside surface of said first windshield, swiveling the seat toa second position generally facing a second windshield, the first andsecond windshields being disposed in different planes, at least a secondwiper being disposed to selectively sweep an outside surface of saidsecond windshield, actuating at least one control device as the seatswivels to render the first wiper selectively operable when the seat isdisposed in the first position and inoperable when the seat is disposedin the second position.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the actuatingstep includes actuating at least one of a proximity sensor or a switch.17. The method of claim 15 wherein the actuating step renders the secondwiper selectively operable when the seat is disposed in the secondposition and inoperable when the seat is disposed in the first position.18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of selectivelyoperating the first wiper to make a single sweep of the firstwindshield.
 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps ofswiveling the seat from the second position to the first position, andactuating a second control device as the seat swivels to render thesecond wiper selectively operable when the seat is disposed in thesecond position and inoperable when the seat is disposed in the firstposition.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of actuating asecond control device includes the step of actuating third and fourthwipers moveably mounted to selectively sweep third and fourth sidewindshields disposed in opposed positions and extending generallybetween the first and second windshields, the first and secondwindshields being disposed in positions generally opposing one another.